The effects of vaginal repair on anterior bladder suspension defects. A radiological and clinical evaluation.

In 22 patients with anterior bladder suspension defect as judged by colpocysto-urethrography (CCU) a vaginal repair was undertaken. In 14 patients urinary stress or urge and stress incontinence was the indication for operation, and in 8, genital prolapse. At follow-up more than 6 months postoperatively the CCU was repeated and a clinical evaluation undertaken. A normalization of the CCU was obtained in only 6 patients and 10 showed a less severe suspension defect. Nine of 14 patients were cured of incontinence. Only 3 of these had a normal follow-up CCU. Improvement of bladder suspension defect was not the sole responsible factor for postoperative continence. Urinary incontinence developed postoperatively in 2 of 8 patients operated on solely because of symptomatic genital prolapse. Very high cure rates for urinary incontinence have been reported following a colposuspension operation. A vaginal repair is not recommended as first-choice operation in incontinent females with anterior bladder suspension defects, if a CCU may be undertaken and the colposuspension technique is mastered.